Maintain Your Child’s Eye Health for a Brighter Future

When it comes to our children, we do everything in our power to keep them safe, healthy, and happy. From regular visits to the family doctor to monitoring their developmental milestones, parents work hard to ensure their children are thriving. But how much attention do we give to their eye health?

Children’s vision plays a critical role in their learning, development, and overall well-being. As parents, it’s important to help maintain their eyesight at every stage of growth.

Prioritising your child’s eye health is essential. Let’s discuss why it matters, what you can do to protect their vision, and how limiting screen time can make a big difference.

Table of Contents

• Why Is Children’s Eye Health Important?
• How Often Should Children See an Optometrist?
• Managing Screen Time to Protect Growing Eyes
• What to Expect from an Eye Exam
• Glasses or Contact Lenses?
• Let’s Keep Their Eyes Healthy Together

Why Is Children’s Eye Health Important?

Did you know that approximately 80% of learning in a classroom environment is visual? Your child’s ability to see clearly and process information visually has a direct impact on their academic performance, confidence, and behaviour.

Signs of Potential Vision Problems in Children:

• Frequent Headaches or Eye Discomfort: Complaints of headaches, tired eyes, or general discomfort during or after visual tasks.
• Difficulty Seeing Clearly: Reports of blurry vision, squinting, or holding books and devices very close to their face.
• Excessive Eye Rubbing or Blinking: Particularly when reading, writing, or doing other close-up work.
• Poor Academic Performance: Struggles with reading, such as skipping words, losing their place, avoiding reading tasks, or slower progress in learning.
• Unusual Head Posture: Tilting or turning the head while reading, writing, or watching something.
• Clumsiness or Poor Coordination: Frequently bumping into things, difficulty judging distances, or struggling with physical activities requiring precise hand-eye coordination.
• Poor Handwriting or Fine Motor Skills: Difficulty aligning numbers, forming letters, or maintaining neat handwriting.
• Sensitivity to Light: Complaints about discomfort or squinting in bright light.
• Behavioral Issues: Lack of focus, irritability, or frustration, particularly during tasks requiring sustained visual effort.
• Difficulty Tracking Moving Objects: Trouble following moving items, such as a ball during sports or moving text on a screen.
• Family History of Vision Problems: Increased risk of vision issues due to hereditary factors.
• Delayed Recognition of Shapes or Colours: Struggling to differentiate shapes, colours, or patterns compared to peers.
• Watery or Red Eyes: Persistent redness, watering, or signs of eye strain after visual tasks.

By keeping an eye out for these signs, parents and caregivers can identify potential issues early and seek professional advice from an eye care specialist. Early intervention can significantly improve a child's quality of life and learning experiences.

How Often Should Children See an Optometrist?

It’s recommended that children have an eye examination before starting school. The age at which the examination should take place can vary by state, so it’s best to check with your local health services for specific guidelines.

These visits can detect vision issues early, allowing for timely treatment to prevent long-term problems. While your family GP may do basic vision checks, optometrists conduct comprehensive exams to ensure every aspect of your child’s eye health is addressed.

Managing Screen Time to Protect Growing Eyes

In today’s digital age, excessive screen time is a growing concern for children’s eye health. Tablets, phones, computers, and TVs are part of daily life, but too much screen use can lead to digital eye strain—causing sore, tired eyes, headaches, and difficulty focusing.

Here’s how you can help protect your child’s eyes from the impact of screens:

• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
  Encourage your child to take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet (6 metres) away. This helps their eyes refocus and reduces strain.
• Limit Screen Time Before Bed
  Turn off devices at least an hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality.
• Encourage Outdoor Play
  Regular outdoor activities can help prevent or reduce myopia (nearsightedness) and promote overall health.
• Promote Proper Posture and Viewing Distance
  Teach your child to sit with a straight back and maintain a viewing distance of 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) from digital screens.
• Adjust Screen Settings
  Reduce brightness, enable night settings, and consider blue light-filtering glasses to minimise eye strain and blue light exposure.
• Encourage Blinking
  Remind your child to blink often to prevent dry eyes caused by prolonged screen use.
• Create Screen-Free Zones
  Designate areas like bedrooms and the dinner table as screen-free zones to promote healthier habits and family interaction.
• Ensure Good Lighting
  Use proper lighting and reduce screen glare to minimise eye strain.
• Schedule Regular Eye Tests
  Book comprehensive eye exams every two years from age three or as advised by an eye care professional.

By setting clear rules and gently reminding your child, you can help them develop habits that protect their eyesight and overall well-being. These small steps not only safeguard their vision but also contribute to healthier, more balanced habits for the entire family.

What to Expect from an Eye Exam

An eye exam for your child is simple and non-invasive. During the visit, the optometrist will assess several aspects of your child’s eye health, including:

• Visual acuity (clarity of vision)
• Eye coordination and movement
• Depth perception and colour vision
• Focus and peripheral vision

If any vision problems are detected, your optometrist will recommend the appropriate treatment, which could include corrective lenses.

Glasses or Contact Lenses?

If your child needs vision correction, there are several options to consider. Glasses are often the first choice, but as children grow older and take on more responsibility, they may prefer contact lenses. Contact lenses can be particularly convenient for children who play sports or engage in active play, as they won't get misplaced or broken as easily as glasses.

While there’s no specific age limit for using contact lenses, proper hygiene is crucial to ensure their safe use. Parents or guardians should consult an eye doctor to determine whether contact lenses are suitable for their child and to guide them in using lenses responsibly.

Daily disposable lenses are a great option for children because they are easy to use and require no cleaning. For older children who are ready for more responsibility, fortnightly or monthly lenses can be a cost-effective choice. Your optometrist can help you and your child choose the best option.

Let’s Keep Their Eyes Healthy Together

By being proactive about their eye care, limiting screen time, and encouraging healthy habits, you’re giving your child the best chance to succeed in school and life.

Explore our range of contact lenses designed for children and teens. Together, we can help your child see the world more clearly—today and in the future!